Monarchs hold off Sky 83-73 behind Lawson and Maiga-Ba

Monarchs hold off Sky 83-73

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kara Lawson had 13 points and six assists, and Hamchetou Maiga-Ba also scored 13 points Tuesday night for the Sacramento Monarchs, who held off the Chicago Sky 83-73.

Trailing by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, the Sky cut the margin to four on Jia Perkins’ drive with 3:21 remaining. But Nicole Powell hit a 3-pointer and Maiga-Ba followed with a layup to help secure the win for Sacramento (3-8).

Perkins had 21 points and six assists, Candice Dupree scored 18 points and Dominique Candy added 10 points for the Sky (6-5).

Rebekkah Brunson had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Powell scored 10 for the Monarchs, who shot a season-high 55 percent.

Lawson connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to help the Monarchs stretch their lead to 11 points midway through the third quarter. Yet it was Perkins who kept the Sky from falling further behind. Perkins scored 12 third-quarter points, but Chicago trailed 64-55 heading into the fourth period.

It has been a difficult start to the season for the Monarchs, who played seven of their first 10 games on the road and entered with the WNBA’s worst record.

Sylvia Fowles, the Sky’s leading rebounder and shot blocker, missed her second straight game with a sore right knee.

The Monarchs squandered a nine-point lead, but used a late 3-point basket by Lawson to enter the half with a 40-37 lead. Brunson scored 10 points for Sacramento, which shot 51 percent.

Brunson scored six points in a tight first quarter, helping the Monarchs take a 19-17 lead.